Alum Entertains Fans as Local Mascot

If you’re a fan of the Louisville Bats baseball team, you may be surprised to know that the team’s mascot Buddy Bat is also a patron of Spalding University. Jeremy Sharfe, a.k.a. Buddy Bat, is a 2012 graduate of Spalding’s master’s program in learning and behavior disorders and a current student in the university’s Master of Arts in School Guidance Counseling program. Sharfe credits his educational experience to aiding him in his role as a mascot.

“My background in education has helped me to understand how to approach kids with disabilities, and it has given me a better perspective into working with kids at ball games and community events,” says Sharfe.

Balancing work and school has not stopped Sharfe from pursuing his other interests as a father to a 16-month-old child, teacher, musician and now, business owner of the entertainment group Diaper Doozies. However, eleven years since accepting the position as Buddy Bat, he continues to find joy as the team’s dancing sidekick.

“I enjoy meeting new people every day while performing as Buddy Bat. [I’ve had so] many opportunities to do cool things, such as eat lunch with Muhammad Ali and repel down the Hyatt Hotel in downtown Louisville. I’ve hung out with my childhood idols Ryne Sandberg and Hall of Fame coach Denny Crum,” says Sharfe. “The Bats have treated me well over the years, and I’m grateful to be a part of such a class act organization.”